If Duff, from Jeanne DuPrau’s Car Trouble, had come to Malletts Creek on Tuesday, May 13 (7-8 pm) and heard auto technology instructor Paul Kruthaup share his knowledge about buying your first car and keeping it in great condition, it probably would have not been much of a story.

But instead, Duff goes out unprepared and buys a used car. It runs ok but the dash lights don’t work. Duff thinks it’s no big deal since he plans to do all of his cross-country drive in daylight and can easily read the speedometer and gas gauge. But that is no help for the engine trouble lights. Three hours into his trip he has no way to know he has low oil and eventually throws a rod. Don’t be a Duff. Join us May 13.

Thinking of buying a car? Have one, but it’s a junker? Let auto technology instructor Paul Kruthaup clue you in with tips on how to pick out a car, keep it running, and find reliable repair service.

Join us at Malletts Creek, Tuesday, July 17 at 6:00 p.m.

With DaimlerChrysler's recent sale of the Chrysler Group to Cerberus Capital Management, you may have been left with the same question I was: who on earth is Cerberus Capital Management?

Fortunately, AADL's fearless research databases (available on the research page) can help us out. The Business and Company Resource Center provides quick access to summaries, financial data, management information, and articles on thousands of companies, including Cerberus Capital Management. Check it out!

With a 9 percent rise in its 4th quarter earnings last year, Toyota is continuing its meteoric rise in size and influence. Many analysts forecast that Toyota is poised to overtake General Motors as the largest automaker in the world.

How did the automobile industry get here? And what does it mean for Michigan? There are plenty of opinions on these questions. But what about those of us who live here in GM's backyard? What do you think? Click "Add a new comment" and tell us!

The flowers are sprouting! Spring is here! And now that the ice has melted, Michigan's potholes are also once again in full bloom…and along with the potholes come the sounds of spring: thumping, squeaking, and knocking from someplace inside my (and probably your) car.

If you're more competent than I am and you're looking for a repair guide to help you dis-thump, un-squeak, or de-knock, try using the Chilton Library Auto Repair database on the AADL's Research Databases Page. You'll find repair guides for cars and even lists of manufacturer bulletins to see if you can get that leaky sunroof fixed for free.